The Man Who Invented Rock Hudson. The Pretty Boys and Dirty Deals of Henry Willson

Biography of Henry Willson, a talent scout, agent and "starmaker" in Hollywood who launched the careers of many young male actors, most notably Rock Hudson. The story of Willson's life reveals much about homosexual circles in 1950s Hollywood, including his dealings with gangsters and corrupt policemen to ward off attention from the FBI, taxmen, and reporters from scandal sheets such as Confidential magazine. As well as providing evidence for Willson's use of blackmail and violence to protect his clients, the book argues that his eye for male beauty helped define Hollywood "beefcake" iconography. Other actors featuring prominently include Troy Donahue, Rory Calhoun, Tab Hunter, Alain Delon, Robert Wagner and Guy Madison.

Part of the Bill Douglas and Peter Jewell Collection